Casse-Tete, literally translating as 'headache' in French, is a village-level lieu-dit in Meursault whose unusual name is believed to derive either from the physical difficulty of working the terrain or from the concentration of effort required to farm this particular parcel well. Domaine Arnaud Tessier's Casse-Tete cuvee is a village-level Meursault from this specific named site, vinified to express the parcel's individual character rather than as part of a broader village blend.

Village-level Meursault from a named lieu-dit such as Casse-Tete occupies a distinctive commercial tier: above a generic village assemblage in specificity and site identity, yet below the premier cru designation in classification. In practice, the character of wines from specific Meursault lieux-dits can closely approach premier cru quality in the hands of attentive producers, particularly from well-positioned parcels where limestone and marl subsoil imparts genuine mineral complexity. The 2022 vintage provided warm conditions that suit village-level Meursault well, producing wines of ripe, generous character and early approachability.

The release of a named lieu-dit village Meursault by a small focused producer reflects an increasingly common practice in the Cote de Beaune, where estate growers with multiple village-level parcels prefer to release them individually rather than blending into a generic village cuvee. For buyers who appreciate parcel-specific Burgundy and the granularity of site character that individual releases provide, the Casse-Tete offers an instructive benchmark for the specific corner of Meursault from which Tessier draws his fruit.

Drink from 2024 to 2030. Pair with roast chicken, white fish, asparagus dishes or light vegetable-based preparations. Serve at 12 degrees Celsius.

Pale gold. The nose is clean and fresh with white peach, lemon oil, hazelnut and a gentle stone mineral quality. The palate is medium-bodied and textured, with a creamy mid-palate, good natural acidity and a clean, mineral-edged finish. Honest village Meursault with clear site character and good early drinking appeal.